90+ day Travel in Japan (Certificate of Eligibility)

[jhunter194]

My first experience in Japan was as a 3rd year in college, where I studied in Tokyo for about five months. Since then I've always been looking for an opportunity to go back and do some backpacking and large format photography. Over the past two years I've done a lot of research and planning, and recently I've been trying to figure out a way to get a sponsor for my Certificate of Eligibility.
Since the last time I applied for one as a student, this was the easy part. This time around, I'm more at a loss for what to do next. I went to the consulate general of Japan, and they actually weren't that helpful beyond "You need a certificate of eligibility".
Here are a few options that I've casually considered, although I'm unsure how valid these options actually are:
-We have family friends in Japan. I'm afraid asking them would be a huge inconvenience, and a large liability as well. Does anyone know if a Japanese citizen can even sponsor your certificate?
-I have a handful of good friends I made at my university...but my concerns are similar to the previous case.
-I can apply for artistic grants/travel grants, but I'm not sure if this is a legitimate way to get a sponsor either.

Does anyone know of any good ways to get a certificate to stay for 3-6, or 6-12 months? I know this seems somewhat illegitimate, but it is for personal non-profit cultural interest.
Any and all help is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance,
John

 

[pipokun]

large format photography

So your major was photography, right?
I don't think you have to set up your Hollywood studio first, but keep in mind that you cannot make any money except your cultural activity.

I watched a TV program about a lucky Aussie comedian who found his master comedian and company sponsored his culture visa by Yoshimoto, a big show-biz company in Japan. The program was about showing off your poverty. If he got a full/part-time position in an eikaiwa school, he could afford to buy more vegemite...

It might be possible to sponsor you if your friend is a pro.

Photographer Johnny Hymas
PROFILE
Born in Yorkshire
...
It was during this period of travel that he became deeply involved in photography and opened his own studio in Hollywood. He came to Japan in 1969 and has been here ever since. (Hymas says that Japan is a photographers paradise because there are such a great variety of subjects to study and photograph.)
Photographer Johnny Hymas Official Website

*Sorry for my super off-topic*

In 1992 he was awarded the AVA multi-media ''Grand Prix Prize" for his high vision photo presentation "Japan The Four Seasons.''

 

[Glenski]

As you probably know, Americans get only 90 days on tourist visa waiver. Want to stay longer, and you'll need a visa, not a waiver.

What exactly have you planned in the past 2 years if not a visa route?

Cultural visa would let you come to study a craft, and with special permission you can work PT. Kind of hard to imagine if you want to travel, though.

What the heck is "large format photography", anyway?

Citizens usually cannot sponsor visas. My father-in-law sponsored my spouse visa, but that's not what you're looking for.

How about a trainee visa or internship or yet another exchange program? I guess that depend on what large format photography is...

Have you inquired into what a Specified Visa for Designated Activities would allow? MOFA has only a brief guideline.

Or if you are working for a place that has a branch in Japan, you could go on an intracompany transfer visa.

 

[mushashimaru]

Do you need legal permission to work? If not, the easiest thing to do is take a weekend trip to Korea around the time your initial 90 days is about to end, then reenter Japan on a new 90-day tourist visa.

I know many people who have done this successfully, including myself. As long as you make it clear to the immigration officer that you are only interested in sightseeing and visiting friends, and that you have the means to support yourself during your stay without working, they will let you back in. One guy I know did this five consecutive times before the immigration officer warned him it was his last time.

On the back of your entry form, there's a question about how much currency you're bringing in with you. Make sure that amount is enough to support you for 90 days. It doesn't hurt to mention that you've got a credit card in that space, too.

Having a stable address like a guesthouse or a friend's residence to write in on the front of that form is also helpful.

You won't be able to work legally using this method. However, you may be able to scrounge up a little cash on the side doing odd jobs or maybe selling your photos. Just don't get caught.

Good luck.